SAN FRANCISCO – David Blough took the microphone from his head coach, and was overheard by the crowd gathered for Tuesday’s Foster Farms Bowl pep rally.

“What do you want,” Blough asked, looking in the direction of Brady Quinn, the former quarterback turned television analyst, who was the emcee for the event.

One of the Purdue fans shouted, “A win.”

Blough won’t have any control in the outcome of Wednesday’s matchup against Arizona at Levi’s Stadium, but the injured quarterback and the rest of his teammates are eager to finish Jeff Brohm’s first season the right way.

That’s why Rick Blank and his family traveled from Michigan City to see the program’s first bowl game since following the 2012 season. This is Blank’s first bowl game since attending the 2001 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

“We’ve been waiting for Purdue to get back to a bowl,” Blank said, wearing his gold sweatshirt with black Purdue letters following the 45-minute pep rally at Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco.

“We love the team, we love what coach Brohm has done and we’re so excited to see them achieve. They’ve put so much work into playing the game that it’s great to see them be here and get credit for all their efforts.”

The Boilermakers arrived in the Bay Area on Saturday. They practiced Sunday and Monday and also had the opportunity to enjoy the city and soak up the culture.

Most Purdue fans started to arrive Monday and even more came Tuesday in time for the pep rally, which featured players from both teams and both head coaches. Along with Blough, captains Da’Wan Hunte, Gregory Phillips, Kirk Barron and Danny Ezechukwu were also on the stage.

When Brohm was introduced, he received a loud cheer from the Purdue fans, including members of the All-American Marching Band.

“We’ve had a great three days,” Brohm told the crowd. “We’re looking forward to the game.”

While becoming bowl eligible was a longshot at the start of the season, it was a stated goal by the players and the coaching staff. From the season-opener against Louisville to the bowl-clinching victory over Indiana, this team has exceeded expectations and also took their fans on an unexpected journey.

A victory would give the program its first winning season since 2011.

“It’s a great time to be a Purdue Boilermaker. That’s for sure,” Blank said.